Chapter 1 Justin looked at the building that housed his home for the next year. Miller Hall. It looked like a nice enough dorm. Of course, he couldn't really tell because he hadn't really lived in a dorm before. Much less on his own. He was starting college on a basketball scholarship. Thank God for athletic scholarships or else he would never be able to afford school. Hearing his mother sigh, he turned towards her. "I'll be okay, mom. I have to grow up sometime right, and think of it this way. We are only two hours from each other. I can come home and visit on weekends every once in awhile." Sighing again, the woman placed her hands in her lap. "I just can't believe my baby boy is all grown up and leaving home. I am going to miss you." "Aww, mom. I am not a baby. I turned eighteen six months ago." Justin turned to open the car door not wanting to see his mother tear up. He hated when she got like this. He was not a baby. He was an adult starting college. Maybe now that he had left the house he would see that. Walking to the back of the car he opened up the trunk and took out his suitcase. His mother finally got out wiping the few stray tears that streamed down her face.  She opened the back door and took out one of the boxes. "Mom. I get it all. Just stay here with the stuff and I'll take it up a little at a time." "But I want to see your room," she said leaning against the door. "You will, mom. Geez." Justin walked toward the steps of the building carrying his suitcase and pillow. Stopping in the front lobby, he looked up at wall for his room assignment. "Timberlake/Bass 222," he mumbled heading for the stairs to the upper floor. "Where is an elevator when you need one?" A deep voice behind him spoke. "Down that hall." Justin turned and smiled. "Thanks, man. That will help with all the boxes in my mom's car." Putting down his suitcase, he reached out his hand. "Justin Timberlake." "Oh, you're Timberlake? I was wondering. I'm Lance Bass, your roommate." Lance shook his hand before picking up the suitcase Justin had put down. "Our room is up here." Justin followed the older boy. Wondering what year in school he was. Certainly not a freshman. He was dressed comfortably in a grey tank top and khaki cargo shorts. When they reached 222, Lance put down the suitcase to retrieve his keys from his pocket. Opening the door, he turned and smiled. "Welcome home." Justin walked inside the room and looked around. It wasn't big, but it wasn't small enough that they would be on top of each other all of the time. Two twin beds and two desks furnished the room. He noticed that Lance had already claimed his side of the room near the window. He went to the other side and sat on the bed. "Not too bad." "Nope. It is weird at first. Sharing a room with a stranger, but at least I don't snore. Not loud anyway." Justin chuckled. "Thank god for that. I don't snore either. Will warn you I seem to have a habit of talking in my sleep. Whole entire conversations I will never remember. Other than that, I am pretty good." Lance laughed out loud. "Whole conversations?" "Yep. Well, mom is waiting so I better go get the rest of my stuff." Justin stood up and walked over to the door. Lance followed him out the door. "I'll help you." Justin turned to smile at him once again. "Thanks, dude. Hey, where do I pick up my key?" "At the front desk. I'll show you later." The two of them walked down to the car where his mother stood tapping her foot as she waited. "Justin, what took you so long?" Justin sighed. "Sorry, mom. Met up with my roommate. Lance, meet my mom, Lynn." Lance reached out his hand and shook the one the woman offered. "Nice to meet you, ma'am." Lynn smiled at the slight accent she heard in his voice. "Where you from, Lance?" "Mississippi, ma'am." Nodding, Lynn turned to the boxes on the sidewalk. "There it is, Justin. I need to start heading back to the house. I have an early shift tomorrow." Justin nodded sighing again. "I know, mom." He picked up a box and handed it to Lance. He then bent over to pick up a box of his own. His mother picked up a bag, and three of them walked into the dorm and up the stairs. Once they reached the room, Justin's mother took in his new home. It was a dorm. she couldn't expect much. At least he had a nice roommate it seemed. Putting down the bag, she turned to her son. Reaching out, she took him in her arms. "Mom, come on. Two hours remember?" Justin pulled back from his mother's embrace embarrassed she was acting this way in front of Lance. He turned towards the other boy, and he got a sympathetic look. "Okay," she said stifling a sob. "I'll be fine. You'll be fine. Study hard. Eat well." She reached up and hugged him again before turning to Lance. "It was nice meeting you. Don't let him get into too much trouble." "I won't ma'am." Sighing, she took a step towards the door preparing to leave. "Call me anytime, Justin.' "I will." Justin walked towards the door and opened it anxious to see his mother leave to stop this embarrassing display. When she exited the door, he sighed closing it. "That was fun." Lance chuckled. "You think your mom was bad. Mine was ten times worse. She had to stay and help me decorate my room." "Oh, man. That is bad." Justin threw himself on the bed. "Freedom finally." MENU NEXT